Saga Communications, Inc. Reports 2nd Quarter 2019 Results Net Income Increased 13.5%

GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich., Aug. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Saga Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGA) today reported net income of $4.7 million for the quarter compared to $4.2 million for the same quarter last year. Net revenue was relatively flat when compared to the same period last year at $32.2 million. Station operating expense decreased $261 thousand to $22.9 million and operating income increased $575 thousand to $6.6 million compared to $6.0 million for the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.80/share in the second quarter of 2019 compared to $0.70/share during the same period in 2018. Free cash flow decreased $437 thousand to $5.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 primarily due to a $542 thousand increase in capital expenditures including capital costs associated with the Company's recent acquisitions.

On a same station basis for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 operating income increased $383 thousand to $6.4 million. Net revenue decreased $1.2 million to $31.1 million and operating expense decreased $1.2 million to $22.0 million.

Net income for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019 was $6.1 million compared to $5.7 million for the same period last year. Net revenue decreased $236 thousand to $60 million. Station operating expense decreased $495 thousand to $46.0 million and operating income increased $221 thousand to $8.6 million compared to $8.4 million for the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share were $1.03/share for the six-month period in 2019 compared to $0.96/share during the same period in 2018. Free cash flow decreased $113 thousand to $8.2 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

On a same station basis for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019 operating income was relatively flat when compared to the same period last year at 8.3 million. Net revenue was $58.0 million compared to $60.2 million last year. Operating expense decreased $2.3 million to $44.3 million.

The Company had $38.5 million in cash on hand as of June 30, 2019 and $39.3 million as of August 5, 2019. The Company's total bank debt was $10 million as of the end of the quarter. Including the recent $0.30 per share dividend which was paid on July 5, 2019, the Company will have paid almost $66 million in dividends since December 3, 2012.

Capital expenditures were $2.0 million in the second quarter compared to $1.4 million for the same period last year. For the six-month period capital expenditures were $3.2 million compared to $2.9 million last year. The Company expects to spend approximately $5.0 to $5.5 million for capital expenditures during 2019.

Saga's 2019 2(nd) Quarter conference call will be on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. EDT. The dial-in number for the call is 612/332-0418. A transcript of the call will be posted to the Company's website as soon as it is available after the call.

The Company requests that all parties that have a question that they would like to submit to the Company to please email the inquiry by 10:00 a.m. EDT on August 6, 2019 to SagaIR@sagacom.com. The Company will discuss, during the limited period of the conference call, those inquiries it deems of general relevance and interest. Only inquiries made in compliance with the foregoing will be discussed during the call.

The attached Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables disclose "actual", "same station", and "proforma" information as well as the Company's trailing 12 month consolidated EBITDA. The "actual" amounts reflect our historical financial results and include the results of operations for stations that we did not own for the entire comparable period. The "same station" amounts reflect only the results of operations for stations that we owned for the entire comparable period. The "proforma" amounts assume all acquisitions in 2018 and 2019 occurred as of January 1, 2018.

Saga utilizes certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to assess its financial performance. Such non-GAAP measures include same station financial information, free cash flow, trailing 12-month consolidated EBITDA, and consolidated net leverage ratio. These non-GAAP measures are generally recognized by the broadcasting industry as measures of performance and are used by Saga to assess its financial performance including, but not limited to, evaluating individual station and market-level performance, evaluating overall operations, as a primary measure for incentive-based compensation of executives and other members of management and as a measure of financial position. Saga's management believes these non-GAAP measures are used by analysts who report on the industry and by investors to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasting groups, as well as an indicator of their market value. These measures are not measures of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP, and should be viewed as a supplement to and not as a substitute for the results of operations presented on a GAAP basis including net operating revenue, operating income, and net income. Reconciliations for all of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are attached in the Selected Consolidated and Supplemental Financial Data tables.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Key risks, including risks associated with Saga's ability to effectively integrate the stations it acquires and the impact of federal regulation on Saga's business, are described in the reports Saga periodically files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers should note that these statements may be impacted by several factors, including national and local economic changes and changes in the radio and television broadcast industry in general, as well as Saga's actual performance. Results may vary from those stated herein and Saga undertakes no obligation to update the information contained here.

Saga is a broadcasting company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties. Saga owns or operates broadcast properties in 27 markets, including 79 FM radio stations, 34 AM radio stations and 77 metro signals. For additional information, contact us at (313) 886-7070 or visit our website at www.sagacom.com.

                                                              
           
              Saga Communications, Inc.


                                                           
         
             Selected Consolidated Financial Data


                                                            
         
             For The Three and Six Months Ended


                                                               
           
              June 30, 2019 and 2018


                                                         
        
             (amounts in 000's except per share data)


                                                                    
           
              (Unaudited)




                                                                                       Three Months Ended           Six Months Ended


                                                                                            June 30,            
     
         June 30,


                                                                                                     2019                        2018                2019          2018




     
              Operating Results



     Net operating revenue                                                                      $32,191                     $32,234             $60,007       $60,243



     Station operating expense                                                                   22,879                      23,140              46,042        46,537



     Corporate general and administrative                                                         2,706                       2,848               5,391         5,392



     Other operating (income) expense, net                                                          (2)                        213                   1          (38)



     Operating income                                                                             6,608                       6,033               8,573         8,352



     Interest expense                                                                               184                         255                 392           474



     Interest income                                                                              (160)                      (188)              (323)        (277)




     Income before income tax expense                                                             6,584                       5,966               8,504         8,155



     Income tax expense                                                                           1,850                       1,795               2,400         2,455




     Net income                                                                                  $4,734                      $4,171              $6,104        $5,700






     Earnings per share:


         
            Basic                                                                               $0.80                       $0.70               $1.03         $0.96



         
            Diluted                                                                             $0.80                       $0.70               $1.03         $0.96






     Weighted average common shares                                                               5,844                       5,834               5,843         5,838



     Weighted average common and common


         
            equivalent shares                                                                   5,844                       5,834               5,843         5,838





     
              Free Cash Flow



     Net income                                                                                  $4,734                      $4,171              $6,104        $5,700



     Plus: Depreciation and amortization:


         
                    Radio Stations                                                              1,617                       1,606               3,257         3,186


         
                    Corporate                                                                      72                          72                 143           138



              Deferred tax provision                                                                520                         785                 700         1,095



              Non-cash compensation                                                                 565                         554               1,124         1,105



              Other operating (income) expense, net                                                 (2)                        213                   1          (38)



     Less: Capital expenditures                                                                 (1,950)                    (1,408)            (3,162)      (2,906)



     Free cash flow                                                                              $5,556                      $5,993              $8,167        $8,280





                                                                                                                                        
     
     June 30,


                                                                                                                                                   2019          2018




     
              Balance Sheet Data


         
            Working capital                                                                                                                 $43,807       $60,196


         
            Net fixed assets                                                                                                                $59,240       $56,101


         
            Net intangible assets and other assets                                                                                         $126,539      $114,950


         
            Total assets                                                                                                                   $247,152      $246,171


         
            Long-term debt                                                                                                                  $10,000       $25,000


         
            Stockholders' equity                                                                                                           $188,594      $182,414

                                                                                                                                                  
             
              Saga Communications, Inc.


                                                                                                                                               
           
             Selected Supplemental Financial Data


                                                                                                                                                 
             
              For the Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                   
             
              June 30, 2019 and 2018


                                                                                                                                             
           
             (amounts in 000's except per share data)


                                                                                                                                                         
           
                (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                Actual                                                            Same Station (1)             Pro Forma (2)


                                                                                                                          Three Months Ended                                                     Three Months Ended         Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                               June 30,                                                               June 30,                   June 30,


                                                                                                                                        2019                       2018                                                2019                  2018      2019       2018




       
                Consolidated



       Net operating revenue                                                                                                        $32,191                    $32,234                                             $31,089               $32,234   $32,191    $33,473



       Station operating expense                                                                                                     22,879                     23,140                                              21,968                23,140    22,879     24,064



       Corporate general and administrative                                                                                           2,706                      2,848                                               2,706                 2,848     2,706      2,848



       Other operating (income) expense, net                                                                                            (2)                       213                                                 (1)                  213       (2)       213



       Operating income                                                                                                               6,608                      6,033               #                              $6,416                $6,033     6,608      6,348



       Interest expense                                                                                                                 184                        255                                                                               184        255



       Interest income                                                                                                                (160)                     (188)                                                                            (160)     (188)



       Income before income tax expense                                                                                               6,584                      5,966                                                                             6,584      6,281



       Income tax expense                                                                                                             1,850                      1,795                                                                             1,850      1,890




       Net income                                                                                                                    $4,734                     $4,171                                                                            $4,734     $4,391

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ===




       Earnings per share:


                        
              Basic                                                                                                 $0.80                      $0.70                                                                             $0.80      $0.74



                        
              Diluted                                                                                               $0.80                      $0.70                                                                             $0.80      $0.74





                                                                                                                                Actual                                                            Same Station (1)             Pro Forma (2)


                                                                                                                          Three Months Ended                                                     Three Months Ended         Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                               June 30,                                                               June 30,                   June 30,


                                                                                                                                        2019                       2018                                                2019                  2018      2019       2018




       
                Depreciation and amortization


                        
              
                by segment



       Radio Stations                                                                                                                $1,617                     $1,606                                              $1,488                $1,606    $1,617     $1,739



       Corporate                                                                                                                         72                         72                                                  72                    72        72         72


                                                                                                                                      $1,689                     $1,678                                              $1,560                $1,678    $1,689     $1,811





      
              (1)              Same station includes only the results of stations we owned and operated for the entire
                                    comparable period.


      
              (2)              Pro Forma results assume all acquisitions in 2019 and 2018 occurred as of
                                    January 1, 2018.

                                                                                                                                                
            
              Saga Communications, Inc.


                                                                                                                                              
           
            Selected Supplemental Financial Data


                                                                                                                                                 
            
              For the Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                  
            
              June 30, 2019 and 2018


                                                                                                                                            
           
            (amounts in 000's except per share data)


                                                                                                                                                       
          
                (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                               Actual                                                            Same Station (1)           Pro Forma (2)


                                                                                                                          Six Months Ended                                                       Six Months Ended         Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                              June 30,                                                               June 30,                 June 30,


                                                                                                                                      2019                         2018                                              2019                2018      2019       2018




       
                Consolidated



       Net operating revenue                                                                                                      $60,007                      $60,243                                           $57,920             $60,243   $60,007    $62,448



       Station operating expense                                                                                                   46,042                       46,537                                            44,265              46,537    46,042     48,296



       Corporate general and administrative                                                                                         5,391                        5,392                                             5,391               5,392     5,391      5,392



       Other operating (income) expense, net                                                                                            1                         (38)                                                1                (38)        1       (38)



       Operating income                                                                                                             8,573                        8,352                                            $8,263              $8,352     8,573      8,798



       Interest expense                                                                                                               392                          474                                                                           392        474



       Interest income                                                                                                              (323)                       (277)                                                                        (323)     (277)




       Income before income tax expense                                                                                             8,504                        8,155                                                                         8,504      8,601



       Income tax expense                                                                                                           2,400                        2,455                                                                         2,400      2,589




       Net income                                                                                                                  $6,104                       $5,700                                                                        $6,104     $6,012

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ===




       Earnings per share:


                        
              Basic                                                                                               $1.03                        $0.96                                                                         $1.03      $1.01



                        
              Diluted                                                                                             $1.03                        $0.96                                                                         $1.03      $1.01





                                                                                                                               Actual                                                            Same Station (1)           Pro Forma (2)


                                                                                                                          Six Months Ended                                                       Six Months Ended         Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                              June 30,                                                               June 30,                 June 30,


                                                                                                                                      2019                         2018                                              2019                2018      2019       2018




       
                Depreciation and amortization


                        
              
                by segment



       Radio Stations                                                                                                              $3,257                       $3,186                                            $2,989              $3,186    $3,257     $3,452



       Corporate                                                                                                                      143                          138                                               143                 138       143        138


                                                                                                                                    $3,400                       $3,324                                            $3,132              $3,324    $3,400     $3,590





      
              (1)              Same station includes only the results of stations we owned and operated for the entire
                                    comparable period.


      
              (2)              Pro Forma results assume all acquisitions in 2019 and 2018 occurred as of
                                    January 1, 2018.

                                                                                                                                                      
           
            Saga Communications, Inc.


                                                                                                                                                 
            
           Selected Supplemental Financial Data


                                                                                                                                                          
         
                June 30, 2019


                                                                                                                                                   
            
           (amounts in 000's except ratios)


                                                                                                                                                           
         
                (Unaudited)








                                                                                                                                                                               
              
                Less:                 
          
          Plus:                                                             
        
        Trailing


                                                                                                                         
            
        Twelve                                   
              
                Six                   
          
          Six                                                               
        
        Twelve


                                                                                                                      
             
       Months Ended                           
              
                Months Ended          
          
          Months Ended             
       
       Add:                               
        
        Months Ended


                                                                                                                      
             
       December 31,                             
              
                June 30,              
          
          June 30,             
       
       Proforma                               
        
        June 30,


                                                                                                                                                                  2018                                            2018                                 2019                       
     
     Acquisitions (2)                                      2019




     
                Trailing Twelve Month Consolidated Earnings Before Interest,



     
                  Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") (1)



     Net income                                                                                                                                  $13,690                                                 $5,700                               $6,104                        $256                                                 $14,350



     Exclusions:


                                                                                 
      Gain (loss) on sale of assets                                                   (61)                                           (38)                                   1                                                                                 (22)


                                                                                 
      Gain (loss) on insurance proceeds                                                 23                                                                                                                                                                      23


                                                                                 
      Interest income                                                                  631                                             277                                  323                                                                                  677


                                                                                 
      Other                                                                          (107)                                           (13)                                 137                                                                                   43



     Total exclusions                                                                                                                                             486                                             226                                  461                                                                                  721

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ---


     Consolidated adjusted net income (1)                                                                                                                      13,204                                           5,474                                5,643                                          256                                   13,629



     Plus:  Interest expense                                                                                                                                      946                                             474                                  392                                                                                  864


                                                                                 
      Income tax expense                                                             5,700                                           2,455                                2,400                                          110                                    5,755


                                                                                 
      Depreciation & amortization expense                                            6,786                                           3,324                                3,400                                          266                                    7,128


                                                                                 
      Non-cash stock based compensation expense                                      2,201                                           1,105                                1,124                                                                                2,220



     Trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)                                                                                               $28,837                                                $12,832                              $12,959                        $632                                                 $29,596






     Total long-term debt, including current maturities                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        $10,000



     Divided by trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   29,596



     Leverage ratio                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               0.34









                                                                 
              (1) 
      As defined in the Company's credit facility.


                                                                 
              (2) 
      Trailing Twelve Month Adjustment

                                                                                                                   
             
                Saga Communications, Inc.


                                                                                                           
             
               Selected Financial Data Non-GAAP Disclosures


                                                                                                               
              
               For the Three and Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                     
             
                June 30, 2019 and 2018


                                                                                                                     
             
                (amounts in 000's)


                                                                                                                        
             
                (Unaudited)







       
                
                  Reconciliation of Actual Information to Same Station Operating Income

    ---



                                                                                                                                                 
              
                Adjustment                                                                      
           
           Adjustment


                                                                                             
              
           Actual                        
              
                For Acquisitions     
         
         Same Station        
         
         Actual          
          
           For Acquisitions   
         
         Same Station


                                                                                          
              
           Three Months                     
              
                and Dispositions     
         
         Three Months     
         
         Three Months       
          
           and Dispositions   
         
         Three Months


                                                                                              
              
           Ended                        
              
                Not Included in          
         
         Ended            
         
         Ended          
          
           Not Included in        
         
         Ended


                                                                                            
              
           June 30,                      
              
                Entire Comparable       
         
         June 30,         
         
         June 30,        
          
           Entire Comparable     
         
         June 30,


                                                                                                                        2019                        
              
                Period                                 2019                          2018      
           
              Period                               2018




       
                Consolidated



       Net operating revenue                                                                                        $32,191                                                      $(1,102)                      $31,089                       $32,234          
         $                 -                        $32,234



       Station operating expense                                                                                     22,879                                                         (911)                       21,968                        23,140                                                            23,140



       Corporate general and administrative                                                                           2,706                                                                                      2,706                         2,848                                                             2,848



       Other operating (income) expense, net                                                                            (2)                                                            1                           (1)                          213                                                               213



       Operating income                                                                                              $6,608                                                        $(192)                       $6,416                        $6,033          
         $                 -                         $6,033






       
                Depreciation and amortization                                                                    $1,689                                                        $(129)                       $1,560                        $1,678          
         $                 -                         $1,678





                                                                                                                                                 
              
                Adjustment                                                                      
           
           Adjustment


                                                                                             
              
           Actual                        
              
                For Acquisitions     
         
         Same Station        
         
         Actual          
          
           For Acquisitions   
         
         Same Station


                                                                                           
              
           Six Months                      
              
                and Dispositions      
         
         Six Months       
         
         Six Months        
          
           and Dispositions    
         
         Six Months


                                                                                              
              
           Ended                        
              
                Not Included in          
         
         Ended            
         
         Ended          
          
           Not Included in        
         
         Ended


                                                                                            
              
           June 30,                      
              
                Entire Comparable       
         
         June 30,         
         
         June 30,        
          
           Entire Comparable     
         
         June 30,


                                                                                                                        2019                        
              
                Period                                 2019                          2018      
           
              Period                               2018




       
                Consolidated



       Net operating revenue                                                                                        $60,007                                                      $(2,087)                      $57,920                       $60,243          
         $                 -                        $60,243



       Station operating expense                                                                                     46,042                                                       (1,777)                       44,265                        46,537                                                            46,537



       Corporate general and administrative                                                                           5,391                                                                                      5,391                         5,392                                                             5,392



       Other operating expense (income), net                                                                              1                                                                                          1                          (38)                                                             (38)



       Operating income                                                                                              $8,573                                                        $(310)                       $8,263                        $8,352          
         $                 -                         $8,352






       
                Depreciation and amortization                                                                    $3,400                                                        $(268)                       $3,132                        $3,324          
         $                 -                         $3,324


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SOURCE Saga Communications, Inc.